Key-releasing mechanism for computing-machines, &amp;c.



3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PAIENTBD FEB. 12,1907.

D. W. SH-IBK. KEY RELEASING MBCHANISM'FORCOMPUTIN-G MACHINES, (Sm.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. 1903.

No. 843,635. 'PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

- D. W. SHIEK. KEY RELEASING MECHANISM FOR COMPUTING MACHINES, &0.

APPLIGATION IILED NOV. 14. 1903. I

. 8 8BEET8-BHEET 2.

KEY RELEASING D. W. SHIBK.

MECHANISM FOR COMPUTING MACHINES, 6w.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.14. 190a.

PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 UNITED I STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

KEY-RELEASING MECHANIFSWM FOR COMPUTING-MACHINES, 61.0.

v Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 190i.

' Application filed November 14,1903. Serial No. 181,255

ful Inrrovements in Key-Releasing Mechanism for Computing-Machins andthe Like, of which the following is a description; and my inventionconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement ofparts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

I will proceed to describe my invention with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional side elevationof a r-portion of my preferred key-releasing mechanism, the parts beingshown in their normal positions. Fig. '2 is a side elevation of partdetached. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of one of the key detents orreleasing slides, keys controlled thereby, and a portion of thekey-releasing. mechanism. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the resettingbar,the: direct means for actuating said bar, and the ke -releasing keys.Fig. 5 is a sectional view ta on on line V V of Fi 3, showing keys ofseveral sections, the bar 7 being omitted. Fig. 6 is a top-view of apart of rod 13. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a computing-machineprovidedwith my invention.

1 designates the usual keys, the function of which is well known in theart to which this invention pertains. These keys are arrangedin'longitudinal and transverse rows or, to'apply more convenient termsto such rows, are arranged in sections and banks, thelatter termapplying to the transverse rows.

The sections of keys are respectivelysengaged by locking-bars orretaining latches or slides 2, the peculiar construction and operationof which is the subject-matter of'my pending application, filed December10, 1901, Serial No. 85,383, for patent on calculatingmachines.

The lower portion of each key is provided with a notch 3, and each keyprojects down through an opening in one of the slides 2, and when a keyis fully depressed its notch '3 will be en aged by the slide, which isspring-actuated or that purpose, and the key will be thereby detaineduntil the slide is released therefrom by moving the same in the oppositedirection.

This invention relates to means by which these locking-slides 2 maybe'simultaneously or separately moved longitudinally for the purpose ofreleasing any set key or keys. My preferred means for so operating allof the slides in unison is actuated either by the regular operation ofthe machine or by a special lever which maybe worked by the operator,and I provide means forindividua 1y so operatin each locking-slide, allof which devices Wlll now be described in the order named.

Mounted in bearings 4 above the front ends of the locking slides 2 is arock-shaft 5, which carries two depending arms 6, to which is secured areleasing-bar 7, which is adapted-4o engage, the preferably upturnedends-ofthe loeldng slides, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fixed upon one endof the shaft 5 (see Figs. 1 and 5) is a depending arm 8, to which isconnected at 9 a rearwardly-extending-arm 10, which terminates in adepending hook 10* or some equivalent devlce. In Fig. 1 said arm 10 isshown in lowered position ready to be engaged by a lug 12, that projectsfrom a longitudinally-movable reach-rod 13. This rod 13 is supported andconnected, preferably, as follows: Its forward end is bifurcated orslotted, as shown, and the slot is engaged by a headed pin 14, securedto arm 8. The rear end of the reachrod is supported by a rocker-arm 15,fulcrumed at 16, to which it is pivotally connected at 17. The reach-rodis normally held forward by a tension-spring 43, one end of which may beconnected, as shown, to the rock-shaft 5 or to some fixed portion of themachine. The crank-actuated rockerarm 15 is thereby held in engagementwith crank 19.

18 is a transverse shaft hereinafter called the cam-shaft. Fixed uponthis shaft in line to engage the anterior face of rocker-arm 15 is acrank 19, provided, preferably, with an antifriction-roller 0. On'thecam-shaft 18 near its opposite end is keyed a gear-wheel 21, which isconnected by apitman 22 with orto a rocker-arm 23, rigidly secured onthe main operating-shaft 24, on the right-hand end of which is fixedthe-operating-lever 25.

QADDISON BYBEE, Y

ably as shown in Fig. 1.

The pitman 22 is connected to gear-wheel 21 at such a point that whenthe operating-lever 25 is depressed said wheel is rotated in thedirection of arrow, it being carried past the dead-center position by atension-spring 26, connected to a pinion 27, that meshes with gear 21.When spring 26 has acted, the pitman, drawn forward by a strong spring28, completes the revolution of said gear, and hence that of crank 19 onthe other end of the shaft 18. This rotation of crank 19 will havepushed back its coengaging rocker-arm 15, which draws back the reach-rod13, the projection 12 of which engages the hook 10. of arm 10, which,through arm 8, rocks the releasing-shaft 5, which forces the rockablebar 7 against the detent-slides 2 and imparts sufficient motion to themto release any key or keys that may have been set. This action willoccur if the hooked arm 10 be in lowered position. I provide a devicefor lifting said arm out of the path of lug 12, prefer- A small lever29,

ivoted at 30, has a handle passing thro: gh a slot in the top of themachine. S601 red to the lower portion of this lever is a pin 31, whichprojects through a slot 32, cut in the hooked arm 10. When lever 29 israised from its normal position to that shown by dotted lines, its pin31 lifts the arm 10, and thereby the hook 10, above the path of lug 12,so that the latter cannot engage it when brought forward, as heretoforedescribed. Lever 29 is held in either normal or raised position by aspring-actuated finger 33, carrying a pin 34, which engages either oftwo notches formed in the bottom of said lever, as shown. When saidlever is at normal, its pin 33 is at the back end of slot 32 in arm 10.Hence if said lever be farther depressed said arm will be drawn forwardand will cause all set-keys to be released, as will be readilyunderstood. Thus when lever 29 is in normal position the keys will bereleased by every upward or return stroke of the operating-lever 25.Secured to the front of each detent-slide is a releasing or resettingkey 36. (See Fig. 4.) By operating these keys any set key or keys of anyparticular sect-ion may be released independently of all other verticalrows of keys.

The operation of this machine is such that normally it will print anyfigures indicated by any set key or keys. Consequently to insure acorrect printing of a total it is desirable that no key be set duringthe total-printing operation.

I have thus described the preferred form of my improvement; but it isobvious that various immaterial modifications may be inade withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention. Hence I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to the exact form and construction shown.

In the claims by section I refer to the longitudinal rows of keys and bybanks I refer to the transverse rows.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a computing or similar machine having keys, the combination ofkey-releasing devices, a transversely-extended releasingbar common toand adapted to actuate all of said devices, an operating-lever, amovable rod, and mechanism arranged to loosely connect-with said rod andmove therewith to actuate said releasingbar, and means controlled by theoperator for removing said mechanism from the paths of the rod wherebyit will not be operated by the latter when the said lever is operated.

2. In a computing or similar machine having keys, the combination, withkey-releasing bars, of a transversely-extended releasingbar arrangedadjacent the forward end of the bars and adapted to simultaneouslyactuate said bars, and means actuated by operation of the machine forsecuring said simultaneous action including two longitudinally-movablemembers having a detachable hook engagement with one another;substantially as described.

3. In a computing or similar machine having keys, the combination, withkey-releasing bars, of a releasing-bar adapted to engage the forward endof said bars; an operating-lever, and means actuated by said lever formoving said releasing-bar said means including a rearwardly-extended armon said releasingbar having an operative engagement with arecip-rocatory reach-rod connected to said operating-lever;substantially as described.

4. In a computing or similar machine having keys, an operating-lever,key-releasing mechanism actuated thereby, said mechanism comprising twolongitudinally-movable members, said members when in normal positionhaving an operative connection with one another, and a lever for movingthe one member from its normal position and disengaging said operativeconnection to prevent the key-releasing operation, in combination withmeans for separately releasing each section of keys.

5. In a computing or similar machine having keys, the combination of amain operating-lever, key-releasing means actuated thereby, said meanscomprising two longitudinallymovable members normally adapted to engageeach other, a detachable hook connectionbetween the members and meansfor spacing said members from one another for preventing coengagementwhen said lever is operated; substantially as described.

6. In a computing or similar machine hav- E ing keys, the combination,of a key-releasing device including a hooked finger and bar;key-releasing mechanism including a rod;

said finger being normally in position to be actuated by said rod andmeans for moving said finger from its normal position rendering thereleasing device inoperative; substantially as described.

7. In a computing or similar machine hav ing keys, the combination withkey-detents and a main operating-lever, of a rod actuated by movement ofsaid lever, a finger normally actuated by said rod, a rockable baractuated by said finger said bar being adapted to reset all of saidkey-detents and means for spacing said finger out of the path of saidrod; substantially as described.

8. In a computing or similar machine having keys, the combination, withkey-dctcnts, and a main operating-lever, of a rod actuated by saidlever, means for restoring said rod to normal position, a fingernormally actuated by said rod, a rockable bar actuated by said finger;said bar being adapted to reset all of said key-detents and means forspacing said finger out of the path of said rod; substantially asdescribed.

9. In a computing-111achinc having aplurality of sections of keys, aseparately-operable key-releasing device for each section, and asupplemental releasing device arranged to simultaneously release all thesections of keys, and means whereby said supplemental device may berendered inoperative during the operation of the aforementionedreleasing devices.

10. In a computing-machine having a plurality of sections of keys, aseparately-operable key-releasing device for each section, and asupplemental releasing device arranged to simultaneously release all thesections of keys,said supplemental releasing device includingreciprocatory members normally in operable engagement with one an other,and means for releasing said engagement whereby said supplementalreleasing device may be rendered inoperative during the operation of theaforementioned releasing devices.

11. In a computingnnachine having a plurality of sections of keys, aseparately-operable key-releasing device for each section, and asupplemental releasing device ar ranged to simultaneously release allthe sections of keys, said supplemental releasing device includingoppositely-disposed reciprorocatory members normally in operableengagement with one another, and means for separating saidreci'procatory members from one another, whereby said supplementalreleasing device may be rendered inoperative during the operation of theaforementioned releasing devices.

12. In a machine of the character de scribed, having a plurality ofsections of keys, a plurality of releasing devices, one for eachsection, adapted to act separately thereupon, a supplementalreleasingdevice arranged to simultaneously release all the keys, and meanswhereby the supplemental releasing device may be rendered inoperativeduring the operation of the aforesaid releasing devices.

13. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination withkey-releasing bars, of-a transversely-extended releasingbar arranged toengage all of said first-men tioned bars to simultaneously actuate thesame, and means actuated by the operation of the machine for securingsaid simultaneous action, including two longitudinallymovable membershaving a detachable hooked engagement with one another.

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination withkey-releasing bars, of a transversely-extended releasingbar arranged toengage one end of all of said bars and simultaneously actuate the same,means actuated by the operation of the machine for securing saidsimultaneous action, including two longitudinally-movable members havinga detachable hooked engagement with one another, and means forseparately operating said key-releasing bars.

15. In a machine of the character described, a series oftransversely-extended keys, a transversely-extended releasin -bar commonto all of said keys, a rock-shalt for the bar, twolongitudinally-extended members having a detachable engagement with oneanother, one of said members being connected to the rock-shaft, anactuating-lever for the other member adapted to operate saidreleasing-bar, and means for spacing said longitudinally-extendedmembers from one another, whereby the releasing-rod will remainstationary upon the movement of said actuating-lever.

16. In a machine of the character described, a series of sections ofkeys, a transversely-extended releasing-bar common to all of said keys,a rock-shaft for the bar, two longitudinally-extended members having adetachable engagement with one another, one of said members beingconnected to the rock-shaft, an actuating-lever for the other memberadapted to operate said releasingbar, means for spacing saidlongitudinal members from one another whereby the releasing-bar willremain stationar upon the movement of said actuatingever, and means forseparately actuating each section of keys after said spacing operation.

17. In a computing or a similar machine having keys, the combination ofa key-releasing bar, a movable arm operatively connected with said bar,means actuated by the operation of the machine for im arting movement tosaid arm whereby said bar is actuated to release the keys, releasingmeans for said last-mentioned means, and said 'releasing means havingconnection with said arm whereby the latter may be operated by saidreleasing means, independent of the means actuated by the operation ofthe machine.

18. In a computing or similar machine having keys, the combination of akey-releasing bar, a movable arm operatively connected with said bar,means actuated by the operation of the machine for imparting movement tosaid arm whereby said bar is actuated to release the keys, releasingmeans for said last-mentioned means including a le-

